The Southern Baptist Convention Moves to Remove Churches With Women Pastors

Southern Baptist Convention Approves Amendment Against Women in Leadership

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has approved a constitutional amendment that bans women from holding leadership roles within the church.

Introduced by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Dr. Albert Mohler Jr., the amendment received the two-thirds majority needed for a constitutional change. Specifically, 6,028 members (approximately 74.66 percent) voted in favor, while 2,026 (about 25.09 percent) opposed it, and there were 20 rejected votes (0.25 percent).

According to the amendment, churches associated with the SBC cannot “affirm, ordain, or support women in the office of pastor, elder, or overseer, including preaching to an assembled congregation.”

“Dr. Mohler’s constitutional amendment specifically prohibits cooperating churches from affirming, ordaining, or supporting women to the office or office of pastor, elder, or bishop,” noted a commentator.

Mohler emphasized the divide between liberal and biblical evangelicalism regarding this matter. He believes that the trajectory of liberal denominations is evident. “In adopting the Baptist Message in 2000, the Southern Baptist Convention confessed that the office of pastor is reserved for Biblically qualified men,” he remarked. He further stressed the need for clearer constitutional guidelines on this issue.

The vote occurred after a brief discussion, during which Pastor Doug Mize from First Baptist Church in Greer, South Carolina, expressed his disagreement, labeling the amendment unnecessary and beyond the authority of the SBC. “We’ve already stated it; it’s in our Baptist faith and message,” Mize argued.

Conversely, Pastor Colin Smothers from First Baptist Church in Mays, Kansas, contended that Mohler’s amendment is both necessary and relevant. “We can hardly turn left or right without feeling confused about gender,” he commented. “What better way to express our countercultural commitment to the goodness of God’s Word than by affirming God’s created order in relation to the ministry?”

For the amendment to be officially integrated into the SBC’s constitution, it will need to be reintroduced at the annual convention in 2027. If it receives another two-thirds majority, it will become permanent.